Past projects 3
Bonding With Students in Chemistry!
Funded Dec 20, 2022Thank you so much for funding this project. When we return from break we will use our molecule kits to dive deeper into our understanding of molecular bonding and valence electrons. Having enough kits for students to work in pairs will be such a benefit for our students. Thanks again for all your help!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Haywood
This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 7 other donors.Soldering for Sirens and Flashing Lights!
Funded Jan 14, 2022What a great project! I want to tell you about the experience of effort and perseverance of my 49 students who completed the "Flashing Lights and Siren" project. The project opens with a series of practice soldering exercises to learn what a good solder looks like and how to identify potential problems. Also, they learned how to correct a mistake using a solder wick to pull up problem solder. It did not take long for their excitement to build just thinking about adding the components.
We looked over the components and identified the polarity of the LED's and capacitors. We started with the resistors and learned the color coded rings to help identify the resistors. As the soldering continued on the first day, the focus was astonishing. The groups were quiet with an occasional comments as they shared their experiences with each other. It wasn't long before I heard repeatedly, "This is fun!"
As the days progressed, there was an occasional mistake however, the idea of patiently fixing the problem appealed to them. Just a matter of fact, "I need to remove the capacitor and turn it around." The entire class solved their problems one by one, and as some finished and beamed with success as the lights blinked and the siren wailed others got very excited. When the boards were finished and they did not perform as expected, the troubleshooting guide was very helpful. Students pitched in and offered suggestions, "It looks like you have a bridge between these two solders," or "I see a gap in the connection at this capacitor."The cooperation was inspiring and heartwarming. This project really built a classroom cohesiveness like no other project.
So with your interest in this project, your help and your funding my 8th graders were able to complete the greatest project they have ever attempted at our school (according to them!). They really want to tackle another one! It was so fun and the positive feedback from their focus and perseverance was so rewarding for all of them.
So Donors, thank-you again for all your help in such a memorable 8th grade project. I am greatly appreciative of all your interest in our young students and this project. I highly recommend that other teachers get involved with a soldering kit and watch the transformation of your classroom before your eyes!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Haywood
Soldering for Sirens and Flashing Lights!
Funded Dec 18, 2018What a great project! I want to tell you about the experience of effort and perseverance of my 49 students who completed the "Flashing Lights and Siren" project. The project opens with a series of practice soldering exercises to learn what a good solder looks like and how to identify potential problems. Also, they learned how to correct a mistake using a solder wick to pull up problem solder. It did not take long for their excitement to build just thinking about adding the components.
We looked over the components and identified the polarity of the LED's and capacitors. We started with the resistors and learned the color coded rings to help identify the resistors. As the soldering continued on the first day, the focus was astonishing. The groups were quiet with an occasional comments as they shared their experiences with each other. It wasn't long before I heard repeatedly, "This is fun!"
As the days progressed, there was an occasional mistake however, the idea of patiently fixing the problem appealed to them. Just a matter of fact, "I need to remove the capacitor and turn it around." The entire class solved their problems one by one, and as some finished and beamed with success as the lights blinked and the siren wailed others got very excited. When the boards were finished and they did not perform as expected, the troubleshooting guide was very helpful. Students pitched in and offered suggestions, "It looks like you have a bridge between these two solders," or "I see a gap in the connection at this capacitor."The cooperation was inspiring and heartwarming.
Some of my my academically lower performing students were able to shine with the hands on building of their circuit board. I interviewed students and a number thought at first they would not be able to accomplish the task at hand, but when everything worked, they were very happy that they could sense the amazing feeling of SUCCESS. This project really leveled the playing field and built a classroom cohesiveness like no other project.
All of my 49 students were able to complete their board with success. Everyone met a pretty high standard of soldering 23 components in a complete circuit without shorting or reversed polarity. They were especially excited about taking the project home, showing their parents and keeping the soldering iron! Many thought about a few projects like some toys, or a remote that did not work and felt they were ready to make repairs!
So with your interest in this project, your help and your funding my 7th graders were able to complete the greatest project they have ever attempted at our school (according to them!). They really want to tackle another one! It was so fun and the positive feedback from their focus and perseverance was so rewarding for all of them.
So Donors, thank-you again for all your help in such a memorable 7th grade project. I am greatly appreciative of all your interest in our young students and this project. I highly recommend that other teachers get involved with a soldering kit and watch the transformation of your classroom before your eyes!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Haywood